Accident ...Baptised at hospital?

[Chuck1]

Hi I was wondering I’m not a baptised catholic or anything and new to the faith , I was wondering if (god forbid) I have an accident can I get a presit at the hospital to baptise me then ? I carry a card saying I’m a catholic and get me a preist ect even though I’m not catholic but that would get the presit there right so yeh I was wondering if that possible ?
Thanks Chuk

 

[Cristiano]

In case of emergency anyone can baptize you, you just need water. Remember also that: “For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament” (CCC 1259)

 

[ConstantineTG]

You don’t have to have a priest baptize you. Depends on the situation. When my son was going into surgery at 5 days old, I called for a priest and waited for the priest. But I knew I can do the baptism and was ready to do it if the time came for surgery and the priest wasn’t there. At that point I was already allowed to do the baptism, but I’d rather have the priest do it so I waited 'til the last minute.

In cases of necessity, anyone may baptize.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi I was wondering I’m not a baptised catholic or anything and new to the faith , I was wondering if (god forbid) I have an accident can I get a presit at the hospital to baptise me then ? I carry a card saying I’m a catholic and get me a preist ect even though I’m not catholic but that would get the presit there right so yeh I was wondering if that possible ?
Thanks Chuk

in danger of death anyone may baptize, but only if the person would have asked for baptism, or is asking for it. If you should happen to land in the hospital for some grave reason be sure to ask for a Catholic chaplain to visit or it won’t happen.

Why not simply contact the nearest parish and start RCIA to prepare for baptism in the usualy rather than waiting for an emergency? If you are already a catechumen you are presumed to want baptism, so make sure your papers identify you as Catholic so if heaven forbid you end up in the hospital you would be baptized immediately.

Welcome home

 

[paperwight66]

Why not simply contact the nearest parish and start RCIA to prepare for baptism in the usualy rather than waiting for an emergency? If you are already a catechumen you are presumed to want baptism, so make sure your papers identify you as Catholic so if heaven forbid you end up in the hospital you would be baptized immediately.

Welcome home

But surely, if he was carrying a card identifying him as a Catholic, it would be assumed that he had already been baptised? I don’t understand your last sentence. Are you thinking of the Last Rites?

Chuck, you may feel you are a Catholic, but until you have been through RCIA and been ‘received’ at an Easter Vigil or whenever your parish does it, I’m afraid strictly speaking you are not yet.

The best you can do is carry a card saying ‘In the event of an accident, I wish to receive Roman Catholic baptism’.

That is assuming you haven’t been baptised in one of the churches whose baptism the Catholic Church accepts, of course. Baptism has to be using the words ‘in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’, which usually rules out churches which baptise ‘In the name of the Lord Jesus’, for example.

Chuck, you keep coming up with these queries, and you are just going to get the same answer. Contact the priest and make known your interest in the Catholic faith!

I know you feel torn, because of your friends in your previous church, but going to RCIA does not commit yourself to becoming a Catholic. It is a learning process. If you are seriously interested in learning more about what Catholics believe, then ask your parish priest what you should do.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

First, of all you may want to lose the card that says you are a Catholic. God forbid you have the hypothetical accident and you are unconscious. In those circumstances your chances of being baptised are extremely low. People are more likely to assume that you are baptised if you say you are a Catholic.

A letter of note carried on your person that states your actual state (catechumen) and, perhaps even more importantly, your desire to be baptised in the Catholic Church would probably be more likely to have the desired affect.

In those circumstances you are more likely to be baptised. I note that, like me, you are in the UK. Most British hospitals have a Catholic chaplain.

Many, if not all, Catholics on this board know that anyone may baptise. They do not have to be Catholic or even Christian. For that matter they do not even need to have a faith. They just need the right intent (to do as the Church does), use the correct matter (water), and the proper form (I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). The problem is I am not sure how many lay Catholics know this. Plus, as it may not be a lay Catholic who reads your note, letter, or whatever, if they will know.

To answer, succinctly, what I think the basis of your question is: can I be baptised in an emergency? Yes, you can be.

 

[puzzleannie]

But surely, if he was carrying a card identifying him as a Catholic, it would be assumed that he had already been baptised? I don’t understand your last sentence. Are you thinking of the Last Rites?

.

OP has not yet made it clear if he is already Catholic, in RCIA, or thinking about it.

if he is brought to a hospital in an emergency situation nobody is going to be looking for a wallet card. He or next of kin will have to register him as a Catholic or the chaplain will not be able to visit him, or they will have to call their own priest and hope he can come. He would not be baptized unless there was some indication he wanted to be, and that is presumed in the case of a catechumen. OP also does not specify what he means by accident and danger of death.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

The OP has posted many times. He is thinking of becoming a Catholic.

If he were brought into a hospital and conscious he would be able to speak for himself.

If he were unconscious he would be searched. Some means of identification would be sought. Also medical/nursing staff would look to see if the person had any information on them about a specific medical illness. I carry a steroid card to warn doctors in these very circumstances that I’m on steroids. So, some indication of his religious status and wishes could very well be discovered.

Without this information no minister of religion, Catholic or otherwise, would be summoned to an unconscious patient. Of course, it would also be advisable for the OP to inform next-of-kin what his wishes are so that they could make appropriate arrangements.

 

[Catholic1954]

Hi I was wondering I’m not a baptised catholic or anything and new to the faith , I was wondering if (god forbid) I have an accident can I get a presit at the hospital to baptise me then ? I carry a card saying I’m a catholic and get me a preist ect even though I’m not catholic but that would get the presit there right so yeh I was wondering if that possible ?
Thanks Chuk

Have you already been baptised in another church? If you have, then there is no need to be re-baptised as a Catholic. If you have not been baptised then you can request a priest to baptise you in case of an emergency.

 

[Paxvobis]

Have you already been baptised in another church? If you have, then there is no need to be re-baptised as a Catholic. If you have not been baptised then you can request a priest to baptise you in case of an emergency.

Not necessarily. One has to be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity in order for it to be a valid baptism.

 

[FLGreg]

Many, if not all, Catholics on this board know that anyone may baptise. They do not have to be Catholic or even Christian. For that matter they do not even need to have a faith. They just need the right intent (to do as the Church does), use the correct matter (water), and the proper form (I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). The problem is I am not sure how many lay Catholics know this. Plus, as it may not be a lay Catholic who reads your note, letter, or whatever, if they will know.

There needs to be a correction made above. This is VERY important as, I believe, the baptism is invalid if the proper Trinitarian baptismal formula is not used:

I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

Matthew 28:19

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Not necessarily. One has to be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity in order for it to be a valid baptism.

Yes, one has to be baptised in a form that is considered valid by the Catholic Church. I believe the Church considers the baptisms of all non-Catholic Christian churches to be valid. She also considers as valid the baptisms of many non-Catholic Christian ecclesial communities. Thus, if the OP has been baptised outside the Catholic Church he may be validly baptised.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

There needs to be a correction made above. This is VERY important as, I believe, the baptism is invalid if the proper Trinitarian baptismal formula is not used:

I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

Matthew 28:19

A case of my fingers typing faster than my brain is computing. Thank you for pointing out that error. The words “and of” should most certainly be there.

 

[SecretGarden]

In case of emergency anyone can baptize you, you just need water. Remember also that: “For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament” (CCC 1259)

Unless you are on a desert island and you are a few seconds from death only then anyone can baptise you and because of the circumstances a special grace would happen. I doubt this scenario would happen and so if you were in an emergency setting, you would need a christian( an extremely active one who believes in the holy trinity) to baptise you with water. Hospitals are big enough therefore chances are someone could find a christian to baptise you. I also know that in extreme emergencies medical professionals who are not necessary christian are also allowed.

I suggest that you take this idea of baptism to prayer. You never know when God will call you for this special gift.

 

[SecretGarden]

Yes, one has to be baptised in a form that is considered valid by the Catholic Church. I believe the Church considers the baptisms of all non-Catholic Christian churches to be valid. She also considers as valid the baptisms of many non-Catholic Christian ecclesial communities. Thus, if the OP has been baptised outside the Catholic Church he may be validly baptised.

True but also be careful because the Catholic church doesn’t recognize all baptisms from all Protestant denominations as being valid. Most Protestant denominations are ok but some have been slipping away from the christian teachings which means rebaptism is sometimes necessary. Plus there are a few that don’t technically baptise in the name of the holy father, son and holy spirit which are definitely not valid at all.

Just be careful. Like I said in my last post emergencies are the exception to the rule. After that baptism and if you are well, it’s up to the discretion of your priest to determine if it will be accepted or not. If God forbid you are dead, it’s valid. If you are alive, it may or may not be.

 

[prbarrera]

Greetings.

This is where the common priesthood of the laity comes (as to the sacramental or ordained priesthood of the clergy).

A Roman Catholic can perform baptisms especially if it’s a life or death situation. The person who will baptize should at least be of good standing (faith and morals involve), and educated on what the purpose of baptism is all about.

Even doctors can baptize newborn babies in times the chances of the baby’s survival is very low.

They should, however, inform the parish priest or the hospital chaplain (if any).

And yes, the Trinitarian formula for baptism is important. We believe in the Most Holy Trinity.

As for the topic starter’s case. Well, having a card that you’re a Catholic, yet you’re still a catechumen. I guess you need a customized emergency card since you’re still receiving Catholic instruction.

It’s like “I’m learning how to be a Catholic. In case of emergency, please inform a priest immediately.” Something like that.

Also, you do need to indicate that you want to be baptized. It should be in writing. This is true in scenarios where the person is conscious but unable to speak your desire to be baptised.

However, I am not certain if baptisms to such degree can be made if the person to be baptized is unconscious, although the desire to be baptized is written.

In the case of infant baptism, the senses are available (especially sight, touch, and hearing) even if it’s still a baby.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

True but also be careful because the Catholic church doesn’t recognize all baptisms from all Protestant denominations as being valid. Most Protestant denominations are ok but some have been slipping away from the christian teachings which means rebaptism is sometimes necessary. Plus there are a few that don’t technically baptise in the name of the holy father, son and holy spirit which are definitely not valid at all.

Just be careful. Like I said in my last post emergencies are the exception to the rule. After that baptism and if you are well, it’s up to the discretion of your priest to determine if it will be accepted or not. If God forbid you are dead, it’s valid. If you are alive, it may or may not be.

I did not say all Protestant ecclesial communities have valid baptism. Some do. There are two separate things starting to be discussed in this thread. The first is who can be the minister of baptism. The second is which Christian communities have valid baptism. In response to the first, anyone with the right intent may be the minister of baptism in an emergency. They do not have to a baptised Christian themselves. The latter issue is likely to take the thread off in the wrong tangent. It is worth remembering that it is not usually the decision of individual priests that determines the validity of a person’s baptism.

 

[x1980x]

There needs to be a correction made above. This is VERY important as, I believe, the baptism is invalid if the proper Trinitarian baptismal formula is not used:

I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

Matthew 28:19

Isn’t this splitting hairs? Is a baptism that omits the “and of” or the “of” really invalid? Remember that English is not Latin.